Santiago Strings
Now in their 29th season, Pacific Symphony Santiago Strings (PSSS) has become a premiere youth string orchestra, recognized both regionally and nationally. Sponsored by The Orange County Chapter of the Suzuki Music Association of California/Los Angeles Branch, PSSS was founded by Lonie Bosserman and Margie Chan in 1991, and was known as the Santiago Strings Youth Orchestra before joining the Pacific Symphony family in 2007. Led by Irene Kroesen, a renowned veteran teacher of the Irvine Unified School District, PSSS benefits from the artistic guidance of Pacific Symphony Music Director Carl St.Clair.
Representing 41 schools in the SoCal region, PSSS provides an experience that nurtures the confidence, poise, and musical sensitivity of young musicians through the study and performance of outstanding string orchestra literature. PSSS serves instrumentalists in grades 6 through 9 and is one of three Youth Ensemble programs offered by Pacific Symphony. Each season, students enjoy an interaction with Maestro Carl St.Clair, as well as interactions with guest artists and professional musicians of Pacific Symphony. Students also engage in an annual weekend retreat and are offered free and discounted tickets to Pacific Symphony performances throughout the season.
Each season, PSSS presents a two-concert series and participates in the Orange County Suzuki Festival. Performances commence at the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts as well as other high-quality community venues in Orange County. The opening season performance features a joint program with the Prelude Chamber Strings. In its 25th anniversary year, PSSS was invited to participate in the National Orchestra Festival in Tampa, Florida as part of the American String Teachers Association (ASTA) annual conference. In its 2017-18 season, and under the guidance of Pacific Symphony Music Director Carl St.Clair, PSSS embarked on a musical and cultural exchange tour of Costa Rica, engaging in workshops and giving concerts in the cities of Cartago, San Ramón and the capital city of San José.
Johanna Gamboa- Kroesen
PSSS Music Director
Dr. Johanna Gamboa-Kroesen is an Assistant Professor of Music Education at the University of California, Los Angeles where she teaches music education courses and supervises student teaching. She is a Fulbright Scholar, holds a Doctorate in Education from the University of California, Los Angeles, a Masters of Music Education in String Pedagogy from The Hartt School of Music, and a Bachelors of Music in Music Education and Violin Performance from Chapman University. Dr. Gamboa-Kroesen is delighted to serve as director of the Pacific Symphony Santiago Strings, a premier youth string orchestra in Southern California.
Prior to her appointment at UCLA, Dr. Gamboa-Kroesen taught orchestra in the Irvine Unified School District for sixteen years, conducted the Long Beach Harmony Project Orchestra, was on faculty at the Chapman University Conservatory of Music from 2012-2019, and served a mentor teacher for UCI, CSULB, and Chapman University. She received the 2015 Orange County Outstanding Educator, Instrumental Music Award and the 2016 IUSD Excellence in Teaching Award for Visual and Performing Arts.
Dr. Gamboa-Kroesen’s scholarship and research interests include inclusive teaching practices, school connectedness, and culturally responsive pedagogy. She enjoys an active schedule of conferences presentations including presentations for College Music Society, National Association for Music Education (NAfME) National Music Research and Teacher Education Conferences, the California All-State Music Education Conferences (CASMEC), and Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association Annual Conferences. Dr. Gamboa-Kroesen regularly serves as guest conductor and clinician for orchestras in California and Arizona and delivers curriculum workshops for school districts throughout Southern California.